"You bastard, want to die?!"
Never mind that Officer Otaki was specifically called by Hattori—any cop hearing this would be furious.
Tsuneo wanted to slap the guy, but seeing his greasy face, he held back and opted for a kick instead.
Conan and Hattori exchanged a glance as the other guy flew several meters.
"Is this attempted murder?" Conan asked, stunned.
"No big deal. That guy doesn't look like a saint anyway," Hattori shrugged.
If bystanders hadn't insisted on calling the cops, he wouldn't have bothered.
"Enough!"
"You're all coming to the station!" Otaki drove Tsuneo, the others, and the troublemaker to headquarters.
It wasn't serious enough for an interrogation room. The police aimed to mediate, splitting them for talks.
"So, this kid's got a big-shot dad," Tsuneo said, leaning back in his chair, unfazed.
No wonder he's so cocky. Probably a whole family of troublemakers.
"Yeah, he's not talking, so this might get tricky," Otaki nodded, frowning.
Tsuneo had thrown punches and kicks. The guy's family runs a business, loaded with cash.
Trouble.
"I didn't even get to eat that ramen," Tsuneo said, glancing at the others.
He trusted Hattori's local recommendation. The place was packed, the ramen slow—hence that guy's bold move, snatching Tsuneo's bowl from the waitress.
Otaki: …
Still thinking about food?
"I'll call Kazuha, see if she can grab you some," Hattori said, exasperated, stepping out to make the call.
Tsuneo grinned.
Otaki sighed, following Hattori to get the lowdown on this oddball.
"What do you want, exactly?" Conan asked, deadpan, staring at Tsuneo.
Sure, a case happened.
But why'd you start it?
"Better figure something out, or someone's really gonna get hurt," Tsuneo said, opening a window for fresh air.
The Imperial Hotel, booked by the Suzukis—wonder what's on the menu.
Conan rolled his eyes.
"You know who Hattori's dad is?"
Tsuneo nodded.
Osaka's police chief. Top dog.
"And Sonoko's dad?" Conan pressed.
Tsuneo nodded again.
Suzuki Consortium's chairman. In some ways, bigger than the chief.
"So, you'll be out of here soon, got it?" Conan asked, exasperated.
"And you know who I am?" Tsuneo smirked.
Conan: …
"Whatever, do what you want." Too full to care, the detective slumped, digesting.
Congrats, you've messed with a dangerous guy.
…
Half an hour later, the three left the station.
As Conan expected, a certain heiress made two calls, and the guy immediately apologized.
"Hattori, what business is that kid's family in?" Tsuneo asked casually, walking ahead.
Hattori, not catching Conan's look, answered, "Construction materials, I think. Oyama or something."
"Oyama, yeah, that's his name," Tsuneo nodded, smiling.
I'll deal with you later.
Conan shook his head. Every outing with these guys ends in chaos.
That shrine's fortunes? Useless.
Secrets exposed? No way!
"Let's head to the Imperial Hotel. I haven't even dropped my bag," Conan said, his backpack bulging, half a skateboard sticking out.
"No way. Ramen's a bust, but tonight's training isn't," Tsuneo said, eyeing Hattori.
The girls were dining elsewhere.
Time for some guy stuff!
"How about a rest tonight, train tomorrow—" Hattori stopped, rethinking. "Fine, tonight."
Morning could mean 4:30 a.m., peak sleep time.
Deep down, he didn't resist Tsuneo. He wanted to get stronger.
The last training session had boosted his confidence and skills.
"Let's grab a sword first!" Tsuneo patted Hattori's shoulder warmly.
Since you're so dedicated, you're joining Ran for tomorrow's 4:30 session.
"Hey."
"More?" Conan called, chasing their backs with his short legs.
When can we rest?!
…
Past 9 p.m., the trio reached the Imperial Hotel.
"Pingci, what happened to you?"
"Did you get in a fight?" Kazuha circled Hattori, concerned.
He held a wooden sword, clothes dirty and wrinkled, looking beaten up.
His face, darker than usual, was smudged with dirt or dust.
"I'm fine," Hattori said. The real reason his face darkened? Tomorrow's 4:30 training.
He hadn't planned to join.
But Tsuneo said a month of training would let Ran pummel him. So, Hattori signed up.
"Gotta get back!" Hattori tossed the sword and helmet to Kazuha, speeding home on his motorcycle.
To make 4:30, he'd need to wake at 4:00!
"Ran, any idea what's up?" Sonoko scratched her head, clueless.
What happened to you guys tonight?
You even hit the police station.
I had Dad's secretary, Mr. Nishino, check. He said it was minor.
But you all look like you fought hard.
"Speaking of 4:30…" Ran recalled the park where she and Conan trained each morning.
"Training?!" Sonoko's eyes lit up. "Can I join?"
It's a must-see!
"Sure," Tsuneo said.
"Awesome!"
Conan: …
What's fun about that?
(Chapter End)
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